10 best long-distance moving companies in New Castle, PA

Long-distance or interstate moves have their own challenges that distinguish them from local moves. When you're moving between states, you may come up against higher costs, complicated logistics, and challenges such as how to move your car.

The right movers can help ease your challenges. To help make sure you, your family members, and your belongings get to your new home without incident, we've created this guide to the highest-rated long-distance movers in New Castle.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Moving companies that perform long-distance moves differ considerably from those that only do local moves. The main distinction between local and long-distance movers is the distance they're willing to cover. Local movers usually only work within a certain geographic area and will charge an exorbitant rate to work outside it if they're willing to at all.

When it comes to pricing, long-distance moving companies commonly charge based on the weight of your belongings, while local movers typically set fees based on the length of time needed for your move. Certain moving companies may use a combination of time and weight when calculating their prices, so make sure to discuss pricing with your chosen provider.

When faced with a long-distance move, it's important to weigh the benefits of hiring long-distance versus local moving companies. While local movers may have a better grasp of your specific location and potentially offer more affordable rates, the expertise that long-distance movers have in tackling interstate moves can't be beaten. Choosing a long-distance moving company for an interstate move gives you the benefit of the critical knowledge and experience to handle the logistics and legal requirements, while also saving you time and stress.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in New Castle

When you're selecting a long-distance moving company, the wide range of options may be overwhelming. See the list below for some guidance on picking a licensed and reliable long-distance moving company in New Castle.

• Ask about insurance: Interstate moving companies are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to offer two kinds of insurance coverage to their customers: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. If you're moving long-distance but not across state lines, you can look into these or other insurance options. We also recommend purchasing your own moving insurance to completely protect your possessions. We discuss long-distance moving insurance plans in more detail below.
• Assess qualifications: Movers performing interstate moves must have a USDOT number and be registered with the FMCSA. This registration serves as an indication that you're working with a qualified mover. The FMCSA enforces certain regulations, such as mandating that movers supply a written estimate, and also publishes moving companies' complaint histories on its website.
• Compare costs: Request quotes several months beforehand to ensure you have plenty of time to plan your move. Get itemized cost breakdowns from multiple long-distance movers in New Castle. Quotes should include an itemized list with prices for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any additional services you think you’ll need.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers offer financing plans to help you pay for your move. If you need financial assistance for your move, a moving or relocation loan might be a strong strategy to help pay for some of the cost. Ask your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial assistance for your move. We suggest looking into several choices to pick the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: Check online reviews on sites such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other platforms to learn what others have said about certain long-distance movers. Also, get recommendations from your neighbors and loved ones.
• Think about timing: Because summer is the most popular season to move in, it can be challenging and costlier to book a moving company.
• Watch out for red flags: A moving company giving you a suspiciously low or nonbinding estimate is a red flag. Legitimate moving companies generally won't request your complete payment before the move. Avoid moving companies with a history of negative reviews or BBB complaints. Familiarize yourself with the FMCSA's guidelines on your mover rights and responsibilities.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to book your moving company well in advance of your move date. To ensure an easy move, hire your movers no less than 90 days ahead of your move date, and potentially even more if you need specific services, like piano or car moving.

If you decide to pack for your move by yourself, we suggest starting a month beforehand. You might prefer to keep certain items, such as electronics and family heirlooms, with you in your car rather than in the moving truck.

Writing a checklist of all the tasks that need to be done both before and after your move, such as updating your address with the Pennsylvania DMV, is a great way to stay organized during a long-distance move.

Make sure you're not without essentials in the first few days of your move by putting together a bag with items such as toothbrushes, medications, and extra clothes.

Finally, on the night before moving day, make sure you get enough rest.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

Moving insurance is crucial for long-distance moves. It'll protect you if any of your items are lost or damaged.

The FMCSA requires all interstate movers to offer two insurance options. Under Full Value Protection, movers must repair, replace, or provide a cash settlement for any items lost or damaged while moving. This policy may not apply to certain extremely valuable belongings (typically those valued at over $100 per pound), for some movers. You have to pay more for Full Value Protection, but in the long-run you'll get more coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection doesn't cost you anything, but it provides less protection. This plan requires your movers to reimburse you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for belongings damaged or lost during the move.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might cover some of your belongings during the move if you keep the same policy after you move. While this typically doesn't apply to long-distance moves, checking your policy could be beneficial.

Sources

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver & Vehicle Services U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration